Today we welcome Debie Coble, CEO and President at Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. Debie was introduced by her coworker and fellow Rotarian, Monica Abair. Debie shared program highlights and some lesser known facts and figures about Goodwill Industries, leading up to exciting news as Goodwill prepares to open their Mission Services Hub at Woodland Crossing (located in the renovated former Sears building on the south side of Elkhart.) Goodwill Industries and Heart City Health have partnered with the aim of bringing healthcare and job training to a densely populated area. Those services will include social services, job training, healthcare for an overall better quality of life.
Goodwill's Mission serves to help vulnerable and high-risk individuals in historically underserved neighborhoods access education, training and high-quality employment and has done so in Elkhart County since 1991. The City of Elkhart strives to revitalize blight-affected areas and bring economic revival to the community. To assist in this effort, Goodwill is investing millions of dollars to repurpose the abandoned Sears building located in the center of the Pierre Moran neighborhood. Goodwill's Mission Services Hub will be the center for education, training and job placement services for all Elkhart citizens. Today in Elkhart, Goodwill provides the Excel Center/Kid's Excel, Second Chance, Nurse Family Partnership, Career & Technical Education as well as general job search support. These programs are currently spread across several locations. Once under one roof, we can expand our services to impact more citizens with better efficiency and effectiveness.
Debie shared about their important Nurse-Family Partnership, serving First-time parents and those who support them in Lake, LaPorte, Elkhart, and St. Joseph Counties.
Specially educated nurses regularly visit first-time parents starting early in pregnancy and continuing until the child's second birthday. People enrolled in Nurse-Family Partnership benefit by getting the care and support they need in order to have a healthy pregnancy. At the same time, families develop a close relationship with the nurse who becomes a trusted resource they can rely on for advice on everything from safely caring for their child to taking steps to provide a stable, secure future for their new family. Goodwill Industries of Michiana has served 279 new moms!
She also shared about Goodwill's Excel Centers which serve adults looking to earn an Indiana high school diploma in Elkhart, Lake and St. Joseph Counties. Excel Centers offer tuition-free high school and college credits. Through their four centers, adults of all ages have the opportunity to receive a Core 40 education and earn a high school diploma, college credits, and a variety of industry-recognized certifications. In order to help our students overcome barriers they may face, the Excel Centers offer flexible class schedules, extended hours, year-round operation, supportive relationships with staff and life coaches, transportation assistance, and a high-quality, free childcare program called Kids Excel.
Did you know?...
...Goodwill is an independent nonprofit organization?
...Goodwill stores fund programs that help people find jobs. Goodwill stores exist to support Goodwill’s mission. Through the sale of quality items at affordable prices, our retail stores fund programs that help thousands of people each year find jobs and reach financial stability. For every dollar spent in our stores, 89 cents goes to support our mission and sustainability.
...All Goodwill employees earn above minimum wage.
...Goodwill Industries saves 23 MILLION tons of what would otherwise be trash from entering area landfills.
...Their programs have served 17,000 individuals - - you probably know someone who has benefitted from Goodwill's programs in our community.
For more information visit their website.
More about New IMPACT CLUB!
Mandy Leazenby and Julie Cotton held the first meeting of our new IMPACT CLUB at Iechyd Da Brewing Company. Stay tuned for more info, including announcement of new club member inductions on December 1 at 4 p.m. More details TBD.
Mandy Leazenby and Julie Cotton held the first meeting of our new IMPACT CLUB at Iechyd Da Brewing Company. Stay tuned for more info, including announcement of new club member inductions on December 1 at 4 p.m. More details TBD.
Here's a SAMPLE info sheet describing how our IMPACT CLUB will work.
Paul Warning: Rotary Bell Ringing - - Have you signed up for Saturday, DECEMBER 14 to suppor the Elkhart Salvation Army and new Elkhart Rotarian Major Tim Nauta by ringing bells at locations around town? Paul is getting signup sheets ready, call or email him if you're not yet signed up.
This Thursday is Thursday Thursday, Peter Norton will send out an announcement - - and this week: A NEW LOCATION to gather, stay tuned!